Eduardo Rodriguez's seven-year stint in a Boston Red Sox uniform has come to an end. The left-hander is in agreement with the Detroit Tigers on a five-year, $77 million deal, per ESPN's Jeff Passan:
Eduardo Rodriguez’s deal, once finalized, will pay him $77 million over five years, sources tell ESPN. Detroit gets the youngest starter on the market to add to its young-and-talented rotation. Tigers are on the come-up. @CodyStavenhagen had the deal in place first.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 15, 2021
This is a very solid addition for the Tigers. E-Rod wasn't exactly great in 2021 though, posting a 13-8 record and 4.74 ERA. He also sat out 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2019, the southpaw emerged as one of the best arms in the American League, finishing sixth in the Cy Young race after going 19-6 with a 3.81 ERA. During his time in Boston, Rodriguez compiled a 4.16 ERA.
The Tigers are undoubtedly in the midst of a rebuild, but E-Rod's arrival brings a bit of experience to a young, talented rotation that features the likes of former first overall pick Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal. Detroit finished 2021 at a respectable 77-85 though, a big improvement from their 47-114 record in the last full campaign in 2019.
Rodriguez was also garnering interest from the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels prior to signing with the Tigers. He denied his qualifying offer from the Red Sox on Sunday and just a day later, he was locked up by another organization. However, it's important to note that E-Rod has an opt-out clause after the second season which means he could potentially hit free agency again after 2023 if things go south in the Motor City.
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